This is a well-structured book aimed at a software application development tool for iOS devices. It is intended to provide the knowledge to start writing applications using Swift, iOS 8 SDK, and Cocoa Touch using one of the most powerful integrated development environments (IDEs), Xcode. The book consists of 21 chapters. In each chapter are several examples, described step by step, that will help the reader to get quickly up to speed on the use of these tools.

For those who don’t know about or have never heard of Xcode, chapter 1 is very important since it describes Xcode and its potential. It achieves this through easy step-by-step guides and configuration examples using Xcode. In chapters 2 to 19, readers will learn how to build apps, starting with the design process, creating a development project and setting its properties, building an interface, using storyboards, and debugging the app. Different apps are developed and in-depth design and programming details are explained. Examples of these include web browsers; events; tables; object-oriented learning; model citizen explanation; multimedia; views, buttons, switches, and sliders; custom drawing application design; content views; navigation table views; page view controllers; information sharing; game development; and document storage and document management.

Chapter 20, the most extensive chapter, covers in depth the Swift programming language from Apple, allowing the reader to learn how classes are declared and objects are created, discover Swift’s shortcuts, understand the different kinds of properties, use protocols and extensions to augment a class, master the use of closures, and learn how to use optionals and optional chaining. At the beginning of this chapter, a short history of Swift is presented. Finally, in chapter 21, some Swift skills are put to use.

Having such a well-structured work gives one the means to start developing applications for mobile devices using Swift and iOS 8 SDK. The book can be read by novices or experts in computing. It is recommended reading for anyone who would like to explore the challenges of designing software applications for iOS, and gain a better understanding of the use of Xcode and Swift.

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